State will establish I-hub to promote digital products

Visakhapatnam: The three-day Transforming Education International Conference ‘EduTech-2018’ was concluded on Saturday. Over 1,000 intellectuals, HRD Ministers, educationists and other delegates from 60 countries participated in the conference and submitted papers on various topics to speed up innovative reforms in the education system. The Edu-Tech-2018 conference recommended to bring an immediate change in the present education system and suggested the UNESCO to lead for the transformation of the present education system.

The conference adopted several declarations including reaffirm the critical importance of SDG (sustainable development growth) 4 to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all and in particular target 4.7 on knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development in fostering peaceful and sustainable societies and advancing well-being for all.

The conference highly stressed that the need of the hour is to prepare guidelines on digital learning and the conference unanimously asked the UNESCO and MGIEP (Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development) to take the responsibility for preparation of the guidelines. While delivering key-note address at the valedictory ceremony of the EduTech-2018, HRD Minister, Andhra Pradesh,Ganta Srinivasa Rao announced the Vizag Declaration with various adoptions and suggestions registered during the three-day conference. The minister asked the UNESCO and MGIEP to study and involve all the regions, communities and experts of the concerned while preparing the guidelines on digital learning.

After the acceptance of the governing body of the UNESCO-MGIEP, the guidelines would be presented before the 206 UNESCO Executive Board to be held in 2019, the minister announced. “The EduTech market will cross 252 B$ by 2020. While sensing the importance, potentiality and futuristic needs, the AP Government is establishing the I-Hub to promote digital products across the globe,” Ganta Srinivasa Rao said. Addressing the valedictory attendants, Director, UNESCO-MGIEP DrAnanthaDuraiapah thanked to the state government and other agencies who actively involved in the three day event.

Commissioner, Technical Education, Andhra Pradesh GSPanda Das said that there are number of languages, regions and other specialties in the country. The UNESCO and MGIEP while preparing the guidelines on digital learning must examine the varieties of regional issues, he added. Joint Collector, GSrujana and several officials and foreigners addressed the gathering. Vizag Declaration: The Edu Tech-2018 adopted a declaration and called for an urgent action by all relevant stakeholders to ensure quality digital learning in support of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development growth (SDG). The EduTech-2018, strongly observed that embrace the potential of digital pedagogies, the skillful, artful and mindful fusion of digital learning solutions with digital delivery systems for establishing new pedagogical approaches.